Packaging forming apparatus for packaging machines and packaging machines for forming packages filled with pourable products.

Abstract

The present invention describes a packaging forming apparatus (10) for a packaging machine (1), the apparatus being configured to at least partially form a tube (4) to obtain a package (2) from the tube (4), and the apparatus having a plurality of operating devices (25) having a first operating group (26) and a second operating group (27) that cooperate with each other to at least partially form the tube (4). Each first operating group (26) and each second operating group (27) includes a half-shell (28) for at least partially forming the tube (4) and a control device (29) for controlling the half-shell (28); the half-shell (28) is provided with a main forming plate (30) and two side forming plates (31) that sandwich the main forming plate (30) between them, and the half-shell (28) is angularly movable about a first rotation axis (B). The control device (29) is configured to control the angular movement of the corresponding half-shell (28) and to drive the angular movement of the corresponding half-shell (28) about the first rotation axis (B) only through the corresponding main forming plate (30).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a packaging forming apparatus for a packaging machine for forming packages filled with a pourable product (preferably a pourable food).

[0002] The present invention also relates to a packaging machine for forming a package filled with a pourable product (preferably a pourable food). Background Technology

[0003] As is well known, many liquid or pourable foods, such as fruit juice, UHT (ultra-high temperature) milk, wine, and ketchup, are sold in packaging made of sterilized packaging materials.

[0004] A typical example is the parallelepiped-shaped packaging for liquids or pourable foods, known as Tetra Pak (a registered trademark), which is made by sealing and folding laminated strips of packaging material. This packaging material has a multi-layered structure, including a base layer (e.g., paper) covered on both sides with heat-sealable plastic material layers (e.g., polyethylene). For aseptic packaging of products intended for long-term storage (e.g., UHT milk), the packaging material also includes an oxygen barrier layer (e.g., aluminum foil) that covers the heat-sealable plastic material layer, and then another heat-sealable plastic material layer to form the inner surface of the packaging that ultimately comes into contact with the food.

[0005] This type of packaging is typically produced by fully automated packaging machines. The machine feeds the packaging material roll through a sterilization unit for sterilization, then proceeds to an isolation chamber (a closed and sterile environment). The sterilized roll is stored in the isolation chamber and continues to be fed. As the roll passes through the isolation chamber, it is longitudinally folded and sealed at a tube-forming station to form a tube with longitudinal seams, which continues to be fed vertically.

[0006] To complete the forming operation, the tube is filled with pourable product (especially pourable food) during vertical advancement and then laterally sealed within the packaging forming device of the packaging machine, followed by cutting along equally spaced cross sections.

[0007] This results in pillow-shaped packaging, each pillow-shaped packaging having a longitudinal sealing strip, a top transverse sealing strip, and a bottom transverse sealing strip.

[0008] Typical packaging machines include: conveying equipment for advancing rolls of packaging material; sterilization equipment for sterilizing the rolls of packaging material before they are formed into tubes; tube forming and sealing equipment configured to form tubes from the advanced rolls of packaging material and to seal the tubes longitudinally; filling equipment for filling the tubes with pourable products; and packaging forming equipment adapted to form, seal laterally, and cut individual packages from the packaging material tubes.

[0009] The packaging forming apparatus includes at least one operating device, typically two operating devices, each operating device comprising at least a first operating group and a second operating group, which, in use, are configured to cooperatively at least partially form and laterally seal and cut the advancing tube.

[0010] Each first operating group and each second operating group includes a corresponding half-shell configured to at least partially form a tube and control equipment for controlling the half-shell. Each half-shell includes a corresponding main forming plate and two side forming plates that, in use, contact the tube to at least partially form the tube. Typically, the control equipment is configured to control angular movement of the corresponding half-shell and is implemented to drive the angular movement of the corresponding half-shell to contact the tube.

[0011] Despite the good performance of known packaging forming apparatuses and / or packaging machines, industry professionals still hope to further improve and simplify these known packaging forming apparatuses and / or known packaging machines. Summary of the Invention

[0012] The object of the present invention is to provide a packaging forming apparatus for a packaging machine for forming packages filled with pourable products, thereby overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages, and is particularly easy to manufacture and economical.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging machine for forming a package filled with a pourable product, thereby overcoming the above-mentioned disadvantages, and is particularly easy to manufacture and economical.

[0014] According to the present invention, a packaging forming apparatus for a packaging machine is provided, the packaging machine being used to form a package filled with a pourable product, and a packaging machine for forming a package filled with a pourable product according to the appended claims. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The following description, by way of example, of non-limiting embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a packaging machine with a packaging forming apparatus according to the present invention; for clarity, some parts have been removed. Figure 2 yes Figure 1A schematic perspective view showing details of the packaging forming apparatus; some parts have been removed for clarity. Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The diagram shows a perspective view of two operating devices of the packaging forming apparatus; some parts have been removed for clarity. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 The side view of the two operating devices shown has some parts removed for clarity; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A detailed rear perspective view of an operating device is shown; for clarity, some parts have been removed. Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The detailed front view shown has some parts removed for clarity. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Figure 1 The overall image shows a packaging machine used to produce sealed packages of pourable products, especially pourable foods (such as milk, milk drinks, yogurt, yogurt drinks, juice, wine, ketchup, lotion, beverages containing fruit pulp, salt, sugar, etc.).

[0017] More specifically, packaging machine 1 can be configured to produce package 2 from a multi-layer packaging material. Preferably, the multi-layer packaging material has heat-sealing properties (i.e., the portions of the multi-layer packaging material can be sealed to each other). More specifically, the multi-layer packaging material may include at least one layer of fibrous material (e.g., paper or cardboard) and at least two layers of heat-sealing plastic material (e.g., polyethylene), with the fibrous material layer sandwiched between the two heat-sealing plastic material layers. Preferably, one of the two heat-sealing plastic material layers defines the inner surface of package 2 that contacts the pourable product. Furthermore, the multi-layer packaging material may also include a gas barrier and light barrier material layer (e.g., aluminum foil or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH) film), preferably disposed between one of the heat-sealing plastic material layers and the fibrous material layer. Preferably, the packaging material may also include another heat-sealing plastic material layer sandwiched between the gas barrier and light barrier material layer and the fibrous material layer.

[0018] More specifically, multi-layer packaging materials can be provided in the form of rolls 3.

[0019] Furthermore, the packaging machine 1 is configured to produce packaging 2 by forming a tube 4 from a roll 3, longitudinally sealing the tube 4, filling the tube 4 with a pourable product, and laterally sealing the tube 4, and preferably laterally cutting it.

[0020] According to some possible non-limiting embodiments, each package 2 extends along the longitudinal axis A and includes at least a first transverse sealing strip 5, and preferably also includes a second transverse sealing strip disposed at opposite ends of the package 2.

[0021] In addition, each package 2 also includes a longitudinal seam portion 6. Preferably, each first transverse sealing strip 5 and / or each second transverse sealing strip is transverse (preferably perpendicular) to the corresponding longitudinal seam portion 6.

[0022] Special Reference Figure 1 The packaging machine 1 includes a packaging forming device 10, which is configured to at least partially form a tube 4, preferably by laterally sealing and / or laterally cutting the tube 4 to obtain a package 2.

[0023] In addition, packaging machine 1 includes: Conveying device 11 is configured to advance roll 3 along roll conveying path P, preferably to tube forming station, where, in use, roll 3 is formed into tube 4, and the conveying device 11 is configured to advance tube 4 along tube conveying path Q; Tube forming and sealing device 12, configured to form a tube 4 from an advanced roll 3 and longitudinally seal the tube 4; and Filling device 13 is used to fill the pourable product into tube 4.

[0024] More specifically, the packaging machine 1 includes an isolation chamber 14, which preferably separates an internal environment 15 from an external environment 16. Preferably, the internal environment 15 is a sterile (aseptic) environment, preferably containing a controlled gas. Preferably, the tube forming and sealing device 12 is at least partially disposed within the isolation chamber 14, particularly within the internal environment 15, and is configured to fold and longitudinally seal the tube 4 within the isolation chamber 14, particularly within the internal environment 15.

[0025] In addition, the packaging machine 1 includes a sterilization unit configured to sterilize the advancing roll 3. Preferably, the sterilization unit is located upstream of the tube forming and sealing device 12 along the roll conveying path P.

[0026] The conveying device 11 is configured to advance the tube 4 (even if partially formed) along the tube conveying path Q, preferably from the tube forming and sealing device 12 into the packaging forming apparatus 10 and / or at least partially into the packaging forming apparatus 10.

[0027] The tube forming and sealing device 12 includes at least two forming ring assemblies 17, preferably disposed within an isolation chamber 14, and even more preferably within an internal environment 15, configured to cooperatively fold the roll 3 into a tube 4, preferably by overlapping each other through the opposing longitudinal edges of the roll 3. Thus, in use, a seam portion 6 is formed.

[0028] In addition, the tube forming and sealing device 12 includes a sealing head 18, which is preferably disposed in the isolation chamber 14, more preferably disposed in the internal environment 15, and is configured to longitudinally seal the tube 4 along the longitudinal joint portion 6.

[0029] Preferably, the filling device 13 includes a filling tube 19 configured to introduce pourable product into the tube 4. Preferably, the filling tube 19 is at least partially located within the tube 4 so as to feed pourable product into the tube 4 during use.

[0030] Special Reference Figures 2 to 5 The packaging forming apparatus 10 includes a plurality of operating devices 25 (shown only partially for the purposes of understanding the invention). Preferably, the packaging forming apparatus 10 includes two operating devices 25. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the text, the first operating device is represented by 25*, and in Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second operating device is designated as 25**. Figure 3 and Figure 4 In the middle, the first operating device 25* is located at the upper position (that is, above the second operating device 25** along the pushing direction of the pipe 4), and the second operating device 25** is located at the lower position (that is, below the first operating device 25* along the pushing direction of the pipe 4).

[0031] Each operating device 25 is configured to at least partially form the tube 4, and preferably to laterally seal and / or laterally cut the tube 4.

[0032] The packaging forming apparatus 10 is configured to control each operating device 25 to form the tube 4 at least partially between two spaced cross sections. Furthermore, the packaging forming apparatus 10 laterally seals and cuts the tube 4 along equally spaced cross sections, more preferably thereby forming a corresponding first lateral sealing strip 5 and / or a corresponding second lateral sealing strip.

[0033] Each operating device 25 includes a first operating group 26 and a second operating group 27, which are configured to cooperate with each other to at least partially form the tube 4, and more preferably to laterally seal and / or laterally cut the tube 4.

[0034] Specifically, each first operation group 26 and the corresponding second operation group 27 can move relative to each other. Preferably, each first operation group 26 and the corresponding second operation group 27 can move toward each other and away from each other.

[0035] Each operating device 25 can be controlled between an active configuration and a static configuration. In the active configuration, the first operating group 26 and the second operating group 27 are close to each other to at least partially form the tube 4, and preferably laterally seal and / or laterally cut the tube 4. In the static configuration, the first operating group 26 and the second operating group 27 are far from each other, and preferably far from the tube 4 (i.e., the first operating group 26 and the second operating group 27 are configured to maintain a certain distance from each other and not contact the tube 4).

[0036] The packaging forming apparatus 10 includes a conveying unit (not shown) configured to advance each first operating group 26 and each second operating group 27 along respective first and second advancing paths. Each first and second advancing path includes: an operating section along which, in use, the first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 are advanced in the advancing direction of the tube 4; and a return section along which, in use, each first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 are advanced in the opposite direction to the advancing direction of the tube 4, thereby returning each first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 to the corresponding operating section.

[0037] During the advancement of the corresponding first operation group 26 and the corresponding second operation group 27 along the corresponding operation section, each operation device 25 is controlled to move from the corresponding static configuration to the corresponding active configuration.

[0038] Special Reference Figures 3 to 6 Each first operating group 26 and each second operating group 27 includes a half-shell 28 for at least partially forming the tube 4 and a control device 29 for controlling the corresponding half-shell 28.

[0039] The two half-shells 28 of each operating device 25 are configured to cooperate with each other, at least partially forming the tube 4. More preferably, the respective operating devices 25 are controlled to be in a respective active configuration. When the two half-shells 28 of each operating device 25 are respectively controlled to be in an active configuration and a stationary configuration, the two half-shells 28 can move toward each other and away from each other.

[0040] Each half-shell 28 includes two side forming plates 31 and a main forming plate 30 sandwiched between the side forming plates 31. Advantageously, each half-shell 28 is generally C-shaped.

[0041] Advantageously, each half-shell 28 is an integral structure. In other words, each side forming plate 31 is non-removably connected to the corresponding main forming plate 30. The side forming plate 31 is immovable relative to the main forming plate 30.

[0042] Each half-shell 28 can be angularly moved about the (first) rotation axis B between a first angular position and a second angular position. Specifically, when each half-shell 28 is in the first angular position and the second angular position, the corresponding operating device 25 is in a stationary configuration and an active configuration, respectively.

[0043] Each half-shell 28 is configured to engage with the tube 4 when in the second corner position.

[0044] Each control device 29 is configured to control the angular movement of the corresponding half-shell 28 between a first angular position and a second angular position during use, thereby enabling the half-shell 28 to move toward or away from the tube 4 during use.

[0045] Each control device 29 includes a shaft 32 rotatable about a (second) rotational axis E, which is preferably parallel to the rotational axis B.

[0046] Each shaft 32 is operatively coupled only to the corresponding main forming plate 30. In other words, the shaft 32 is not operatively coupled to the corresponding side forming plate 31. The coupling of the shaft 32 to the main forming plate 30 is such that the angular position of the corresponding half-shell 28 about the rotation axis B depends on the angular position of the shaft 32 about the rotation axis E.

[0047] Figure 3 and Figure 4 The diagram shows that each axis 32 of the control device 29 of the first operating device 25* is in a certain angular position about the corresponding rotation axis E, such that the corresponding half-shell 28 is in a first angular position, and each axis 32 of the control device 29 of the second operating device 25** is in a certain angular position about the corresponding rotation axis E, such that the corresponding half-shell 28 is in a second angular position.

[0048] in other words, Figure 3 and Figure 4 Two configurations of the half-shell 28 are shown: the first operating device 25* is in a stationary configuration, and the second operating device 25** is in an active configuration.

[0049] Each axis 32 is configured to rotate about a corresponding rotation axis E, thereby moving the corresponding half-shell 28 between a corresponding first angular position and a second angular position.

[0050] More specifically, each axis 32 can rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby moving the half-shell 28 from a first corner position to a second corner position; it can also rotate in a second rotational direction (opposite to the first rotational direction), thereby moving the half-shell 28 from a second corner position to a first corner position.

[0051] Each control device 29 includes a lever mechanism 33 coupled to the shaft 32 and the half-shell 28. More specifically, the lever mechanism 33 is coupled to the shaft 32 and the main forming plate 30. The lever mechanism 33 is coupled only to the shaft 32 and the main forming plate 30. Even more specifically, the lever mechanism 33 is not coupled to the side forming plate 31. The control device 29 does not contain any lever mechanism coupled to the side forming plate 31.

[0052] The lever mechanism 33 is configured to drive the angular movement of the corresponding main forming plate 30 according to the angular movement of the corresponding shaft 32.

[0053] More specifically, the lever mechanism 33 includes: at least one coupling element 35, preferably two coupling elements 35 spaced apart from each other, and fixed to the shaft 32; and at least one coupling rod 36, preferably two coupling rods 36, which are hinged to a corresponding coupling element 35 and a corresponding main forming plate 30.

[0054] More specifically, each coupling rod 36 is hinged about the (first) hinge axis R to the corresponding coupling element 35 and about the (second) hinge axis H to the corresponding main forming plate 30.

[0055] Preferably, each hinge axis R and the corresponding hinge axis H are parallel to each other.

[0056] Advantageously, each hinge axis R and the corresponding hinge axis H are parallel to the corresponding rotation axis B and / or the corresponding rotation axis E.

[0057] According to some preferred non-limiting embodiments, the packaging forming apparatus may include a drive device configured to control the operation of each control device 29, thereby controlling the angular position of the corresponding half-shell 28.

[0058] Preferably, the drive device is configured to control the angular position of the shaft 32.

[0059] Even more preferably, the drive device can be configured to control the angular position of the corresponding shaft 32 according to the corresponding positions of the corresponding first operation group 26 and the corresponding second operation group 27 along the corresponding first propulsion path and / or the corresponding second propulsion path.

[0060] Special Reference Figure 2 Each operating device 25 includes a sealing element 55 and a corresponding reverse sealing element 56, which are configured to cooperate with each other to laterally seal the tube 4. Advantageously, one of the first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 includes the sealing element 55, and the other of the first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 includes the reverse sealing element 56.

[0061] In addition, each operating device 25 includes at least one cutting element configured to cut the tube 4 laterally, preferably after the tube 4 has been sealed by a corresponding sealing element 55 and a corresponding reverse sealing element 56.

[0062] In use, packaging machine 1 produces packages 2 filled with pourable products. More specifically, conveying equipment 11 advances a roll 3 along a roll advance path P. Tube forming and sealing equipment 12 forms the advanced roll 3 into a tube 4 and seals the tube 4 longitudinally. Furthermore, filling equipment 13 fills the tube 4 with pourable products, and packaging forming device 10 forms, seals laterally, and cuts the tube 4 laterally to obtain the package 2.

[0063] More specifically, during the operation of the packaging forming apparatus 10, the operating device 25 at least partially forms the tube 4, and preferably performs a lateral sealing and lateral cutting on the tube 4.

[0064] During operation, each operating device 25 is cyclically controlled between a corresponding static configuration and a corresponding active configuration.

[0065] Preferably, the corresponding first operating group 26 and the corresponding second operating group 27 advance along the corresponding advancing path and cyclically move toward and away from each other, thereby at least partially forming, laterally sealing and cutting the tube 4 to form the package 2.

[0066] The partial formation of tube 4 is controlled by the corresponding half-shell 28. In order to partially form tube 4, the half-shell 28 is moved from the corresponding first angular position to the corresponding second angular position by controlling the angular position of the corresponding shaft 32.

[0067] List of reference numerals 1 Packaging machine 2 Packaging 3 Packaging material rolls 4 tubes 5. Sealing tape 6. Longitudinal sealing section 10 Packaging Forming Apparatus 11 Conveying equipment 12-tube forming and sealing equipment 13 Filling equipment 14 Isolation Room 15. Internal Environment 16 External Environment 17 Forming a ring assembly 18 Sealing Head 19 Filling tube 25 Operating equipment 25* First operating equipment 25** Second operating equipment 26 First Operation Group 27 Second Operations Group 28 Half-shell 29. Control equipment 30 Main Forming Plate 31 side forming plate 32-axis 33 Leverage Institutions 35 Coupling element 36 coupling rods P. Roll conveyor path Q-tube delivery path B Rotation axis E Rotation axis R hinge axis H hinge axis

Claims

1. A package forming device (10) for a packaging machine (1), the device being configured to form, at least in part, a tube (4) to obtain a package (2) from said tube (4), and comprising a plurality of operating apparatuses (25), each operating apparatus (25) having a first operating group (26) and a second operating group (27), said first operating group (26) and second operating group (27) being configured to cooperate with each other to form, at least in part, said tube (4) for forming said package (2); wherein, Each first operating group (26) and each second operating group (27) comprises a half-shell (28) for forming at least partially said tube (4) and a control device (29) for controlling said half-shell (28); wherein said half-shell (28) comprises a main forming plate (30) and two side forming plates (31) sandwiching said main forming plate (30) between each other and is angularly movable about a first rotation axis (B) between a first angular position and a second angular position; and wherein said control device (29) is configured to control said angular movement of the respective said half-shell (28) about said first rotation axis (B) and to effectuate said angular movement of the respective said half-shell (28) about said first rotation axis (B) only through the respective said main forming plate (30).

2. The package forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein, Each control device (29) comprises a shaft (32) rotatable about a second rotation axis (E) and operatively coupled only with the respective said main forming plate (30), wherein the angular position of each half-shell (28) about said first rotation axis (B) depends on the angular position of the respective said shaft (32) about said second rotation axis (E).

3. The package forming apparatus of claim 2, wherein, Each shaft (32) is configured to rotate about said second rotation axis (E) to move the respective said half-shell (28) between the respective said first angular position and the respective said second angular position.

4. The package forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein, Each control device (29) comprises a lever mechanism (33) coupled only with said shaft (32) and with the respective said main forming plate (30) and configured to drive the angular movement of the respective said half-shell (28) as a function of the angular movement of the respective said shaft (32) about said second rotation axis (E).

5. The package forming apparatus of claim 4, wherein, Each lever mechanism (33) comprises a coupling element (35) fixed to the respective said shaft (32) and a coupling lever (36) hinged to said coupling element (35) and to the respective said main forming plate (30).

6. The package forming apparatus of claim 5, wherein, Each coupling lever (36) is hinged to the respective said coupling element (35) about a first hinge axis (R) and to the respective said main forming plate (30) about a second hinge axis (H).

7. The package forming apparatus of claim 6, wherein, Said first hinge axis (R) and said second hinge axis (H) are parallel to each other and / or parallel to said first rotation axis (B).

8. The package forming apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein, Each side forming plate (31) is immovably connected to the respective said main forming plate (30).

9. A packaging machine (1) for forming packages (2) of pourable product from a tube (4) advanced by a longitudinal sealing of a web (3) of packaging material, the packaging machine (1) comprising a package forming device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims.

Images